Two Bosses Enter: Ley-Guardian Eregos vs. Loken
by Lisa Poisso 
Jul 16th 2009 at 11:00AM
We've witnessed some pretty strange matchups during the first round of the Wrath five-man boss season of Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves. We think the first bracket has successfully set the baseline: it's not who wins or loses – it's how they play the game. You folks out there in the stands have been great. We've evolved beyond lame comments droning on about "X is a boss?!? HAHAHA Y wins, my group beats X every time," to recent battles, with truly captivating scenarios such as Bobobe's ironic twist at the end of last week's Anub'Arak versus Elder Nadox battle.
For the final match of this season's first bracket of battles, we present to you another unusual (even in TBE's terms) scenario featuring two bosses that are probably among players most dreaded bosses: Ley-Guardian Eregos of The Oculus versus Loken from the Halls of Lightning. Yeah, yeah, we know ... the Drakes ... Come on, you didn't really think we were going to perch Loken atop one Super-Drake with all the abilities, did you? It's a fantasy series! Loosen up your deathgrip on those Drake reins, and let's look at this week's ground rules.
- The Drakes are out. Poof – gone.
- Assume that Eregos and Loken share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.
- Do me a favor and read the previous bullet point again, please?
- This deathmatch takes place in neutral territory.
- Ley-Guardian Eregos will be able to summon his Whelps.
- Gameplay mechanics are significantly different here, since we have no Drakes. Don't worry about what actual players and Drakes might do in the encounter; they're not here.
- Focus on the three S's: style, story and scale.
Simpletons! You cannot comprehend the forces you have set in motion. The ley line conduit will not be disrupted! Your defeat shall be absolute!
Ley-Guardian Eregos, the great Blue Dragon boss, flies at the pinnacle of The Oculus. Players normally battle him astride Drake mounts with various abilities; here, Eregos will have to hover above Loken to engage him on the ground. The Ley-Guardian's summoned Whelps will still heed his call, if Loken gives him time enough to call for them.
- Arcane Barrage
- Arcane Volley
- Enraged Assault
- Planar Anomalies
- Planar Shift
- Whelps Two to three spawn at a time; heavy DPS can push Eregos into a Planar Shift before he has a chance to summon
Loken, Halls of Lightning
Loken, the Dark Titan who resides in the Halls of Lightning, has an extensive history with links to none other than Yogg-Saron. From wowwiki.com: "According to the Tribunal of Ages in Ulduar's Halls of Stone, Loken - also known by various sources as "Keeper Loken," "Sentinel Loken," "Kronus" and "prime designate" - was named the supreme protector of Azeroth by the Pantheon, leading the Aesir (Storm Giants) and Vanir (Earth Giants) following the containment of the Old Gods. Along with his brother Thorim, the Stormlord, as well as Watchers Hodir, Freya, Mimir and Tyr, Loken was designated as a guardian to watch over the prison of Yogg-Saron, deep within Ulduar. Over time, however, Loken succumbed to the whispers of the Old God and turned on his allies, taking control of Ulduar and seeking to unravel the plans of his former masters. At some point, he provoked a global war between the Storm Giants and Earth Giants, which was ended by Loken's 'neutralizing' them. After the conclusion of that war, Loken placed the Earthen, Giants and Vrykul into stasis at designated holding facilities (presumably, facilities like Uldaman or Ulduar)."
Learn more about Loken's battle abilities, and review comments from players who've battled him.
The smackdown
Remember, no Drakes here – none at all! Eregos and Loken will face off with similar levels, health pools, overall damage output and neutral territory.
Cast your vote below – and don't forget to come up with a convincing scenario in the comments that will sway other readers to support your outcome.
| Tie | |
|---|---|
| Ley-Guardian Eregos | |
| Loken |
We're nearing the end of the first bracket for the Wrath of the Lich King five-man season of Two Bosses Enter ... One Boss Leaves. Cast your vote and let us know who you think rocks Wrath's world.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Features, Lore, Bosses, Two Bosses Enter
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Gantrithor Jul 16th 2009 11:08AM
Loken has a history of beating down dragons. Also, his arc lightning is perfect for the whelps and his AOE is better.
Mailia Jul 16th 2009 11:36AM
Yeah, the AoE will make brief job of Eregos if he decides not to land right alongisde Loken, which I doubt.
nalyd Jul 16th 2009 12:02PM
Pokemon taught me that electric is super effective against flying. :P
Nick S Jul 16th 2009 11:08AM
Loken seems pretty well set up to AoE down those Drakes. I've gotta give it to him... Ley-Guardian Eregos without any adds just won't be able to pull it off.
Gnosh Jul 16th 2009 11:14AM
The whelps would really be no issue for Loken. They have very poor health compared to their patron, and tend to spawn very far away, maximizing the damage they take from Loken's reverse-AOE aura, possibly even killing them before they REACH him.
Obviously, Eregos is no pushover, and as a Blue Dragon, he's about as intelligent as they come. We can assume he gets away from Nova every time. The same could be said of Loken dodging the Sparks.
I doubt Enrage would be much of an issue. In the end, the AOE aura seals it for Loken- constant damage throughout the whole fight, even doing increased damage when one combatant is fleeing.
Redielin Jul 16th 2009 11:16AM
Loken wins.
He definitely has the AOE to knock out the whelps, which reduces the threat Eregos poses to him. The enrage effect on Eregos might help him give Loken a run for his money, but Eregos has no way to shut down any of Loken's abilities.
That and Eregos is one of the most annoying bosses in this game. Trying to explain this game and coordinate in a pug is hard enough in only 2 dimensions. 3 dimensions just blows peoples minds, apparently.
Tridus Jul 16th 2009 11:19AM
Well, I have to go with Loken here.
His aura will simply flatten any whelps before they build up. Arc Lightning would finish them off anyway if they survive. Eregos likely won't know to avoid Lightning Nova until its too late (and if he actually does stay at long range, the aura's damage increases with distance).
Besides, Loken is the Prime Keeper of Ulduar. Even if Eregos somehow beats him, Loken dying is what causes Algalon to come to Ulduar... and response code: Omega will pretty well take care of any little dragon. :D
jaysun356 Jul 16th 2009 11:22AM
Loken wins by a landslide. The Victory would seem to go to Eregos because he is a Dragon but, Loken has Infinite range abilities that will destroy Eregos if he gets to far away. Also Loken is Epic. Think, William Wallace "I Can Shoot Lightning out of my Arse".
Mutak Jul 16th 2009 11:28AM
Whleps aside, Enrage aside, Loken is not fast enough to outrun the orbs and has no way of becoming immune or of healing, ergo Loken Loses.
Whoops Jul 16th 2009 11:32AM
Eregos is faster than Loken, can fly, has more range on his attacks and can shift so as to be immune to magic.
How is Loken supposed to defeat him again?
Charlie Jul 16th 2009 11:39AM
I completley agree.
Eventhough it's loken in a landslide, (as loken is a way cooler boss), and I would rather see loken go on. Eregos would win this fight.
Eregos's adds would got shot down immediatley, but Eregos pure damage would put loken over the edge, as i doubt Eregos would ever get hit by Loken's overload, and since he can fly, he will always be right on top of Loken (literally), limiting his AoE by alot. Loken's other abilities don't do that much damage, while Eregos' main nukes do hurt alot.
Eregos wins in the fight. Loken wins in the poll =(.
Zzxyx Jul 18th 2009 3:55AM
"Assume that Eregos and Loken share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output."
THAT is why Loken is winning the poll. You ignored that bulletpoint and assumed they still had different stats.
Maxilimus Jul 16th 2009 1:03PM
Its all a popularity contest. With a lot of people never done Oculus, but have done HoL, they choose the boss they know...
EREGOS FTW!!!
Josin Jul 16th 2009 11:35AM
Loken's built to destroy groups, and groups is what Eregos will provide. Loken's electricity would leave only an ashy residue of the whelps, and Eregos' hulking mass lacks the maneuverability to get away from (or find adequate cover) to avoid the massive damage resulting from Lightning Nova.
While Planar Shift might help Eregos escape Lightning Nova once, Loken's cagey enough to wait him out, or to time his casting to hit just as the shift ends, rocking the dragon with massive damage.
Loken was designated to oversee all of Azeroth by the Titans. Eregos is the lackey of a dragon aspect. In a battle of upper management vs. middle management, upper management holds all the cards. The same principle applies here.
Mordockk Jul 16th 2009 11:40AM
Ley Guardian Wins.
During Lightning Nova, Eregos will phase out making him immune to the high damage attack. At the same time, Loken will be casting and not moving while the planar anomalies tear into him! The whelps will still hit him with their ranged attacks before they die, thus adding to the damage. I think both bosses will be doing enough consistent damage but the lightning nova getting trumped during the planar shift will put Eregos as the victor!
Josin Jul 16th 2009 12:15PM
I think it gets him out of Lightning Nova once, but I don't see this as a short fight. The first time, that trick works out for Eregos. After that, Loken sees Eregos go all hazy and says, "Okay, I'm just going to destroy your children until you come back."
He'd toast the adds, then Lightning Nova when Eregos is rephased.
kozom Jul 16th 2009 11:36AM
A lighting type versus a flying type. It's super effective!
kozom Jul 16th 2009 11:40AM
I think someone made this joke way before me with a lightning water combo, but I am too lazy to see if they did and this was the first thing that popped into my head. If i did steal from someone, sorry.
Honoke Jul 16th 2009 5:08PM
That was me. How dare you steal my joke! :P
Actually, I think I'd be disappointed if someone didn't make a pokemon reference on these match-ups.
kozom Jul 16th 2009 5:39PM
Oh noes I'm joke stealer! :o
Sorry about that, its just pokemon references MUST be made wherever possible imo ;P